Poetical Works of Edmund Waller and Sir John Denham

"Poetical Works of Edmund Waller and Sir John Denham" by Edmund Waller is a compilation of 17th-century English poems, presenting the art of Waller and Denham alongside a biography and critical analysis that provides an understanding of the poets and their environment. The poems reflect the themes of love, beauty, and political opinion, all while contemplating the essence of poetry. The book starts with Edmund Waller's biography, detailing his complex existence as both a poet and a prominent political player, including Waller's early years, education, and quick entry into politics, underscoring the events that shaped both his personality and poetic style. The narrative explores Waller's romantic interests, especially Lady Dorothy Sidney, and his infamous political schemes during a chaotic period in English history, forming a backdrop for interpreting Waller's poetry and portraying him as a mixture of courage, high-mindedness, and moral uncertainty found throughout his verses.